Skip to main content
Oregon State University OREGON STATE UNIVERSITY Open search box
Forage Information System »

National Forage & Grasslands Curriculum

Toggle menu Go to search page
    • Project Information
      • Support
      • Description
      • Development
        • Core Group of Developers
        • Regional Advisors Group
        • Topic Experts Group of Developers
      • Production
    • Instructional Design
      • Lesson Template
      • Overall Course Design
        • Goals
        • Objectives
        • Assessment
          • Instructor Materials: Assessments: Prerequisite Test
        • Topics
        • Evaluation
        • Revision
      • Production Process
    • Instructor Materials
      • Assessments
        • Exams
        • Learner Survey
        • Post Test
        • Prerequisite Test
        • Prerequisite Test
        • Pretests
        • Quizzes
        • Testing Rationale
        • Writing Evaluation
      • Available Topics
        • Introduction to Forages
          • Overview
          • Pretest - Introduction
          • Instructional Objectives
          • Define forages and differentiate between forage types.
          • Explain how forages have been and are essential to civilization.
          • Summarize the history of forages.
          • Define grassland agriculture. Discuss a typical grassland ecosystem.
          • Define sustainable agriculture and discuss how forages are a key component.
          • List several grassland organizations and describe their role in promoting forages and grassland agriculture.
          • Summary
          • Exam
          • References
        • Grasslands of the World
          • Overview
          • Pretest - World Grasslands
          • Instructional Objectives
          • Define and describe the natural grasslands of the world.
          • Locate and describe the tropical grasslands and their forages.
          • Locate and describe the temperate grasslands and their forages.
          • Important issues affecting grasslands and their forages.
          • Summary
          • Exam
          • References
        • Forages in the US
          • Overview
          • Pretest - U.S. Grasslands
          • Instructional Objectives
          • Describe the role of forages in the history of the US.
          • Describe the current role of forages in US agriculture.
          • Discuss regional forage production.
          • Discuss forages from a livestock perspective.
          • Discuss the environmental benefits of forages.
          • Discuss the possible future role of forages in the US.
          • Summary
          • Exam
          • References
        • Grasses
          • Overview
          • Pretest - Grasses
          • Instructional Objectives
          • Grasses are very common but very important.
          • Differentiate warm-season from cool-season grasses.
          • Summarize the distinctive physical characteristics of grasses
          • Describe the utilization of grass in forage-livestock systems.
          • Describe how knowledge of grass regrowth is beneficial to forage managers.
          • Provide specific information about the common grasses used as forage
          • Summary
          • Exam
          • References
        • Legumes
          • Overview
          • Pretest - Legumes
          • Instructional Objectives
          • Legumes are a valuable part of forage production.
          • Differentiate warm-season from cool-season legumes.
          • Summarize the distinctive physical characteristics of legumes.
          • Define the utilization of legumes in forage-livestock systems.
          • Provide specific information about the common legumes used as forage.
          • Summary
          • Exam
          • References
        • Plant Identification
          • Overview
          • Pretest - Plant Identification
          • Instructional Objectives
          • Explain the reasons why forage plant identification is important.
          • Describe the major differences between the plant families used as forages.
          • Provide the vocabulary needed to identify grasses.
          • Provide the basic vocabulary for identifying legumes.
          • Identify common species of forage.
          • Provide practice in identifying common forages.
          • Summary
          • References
        • Forage Selection
          • Overview
          • Pretest - Forage Selection
          • Instructional Objectives
          • The selection of a forage plant is crucial.
          • Determine limitations to forage selection.
          • Forage selection requires an understanding of species and cultivars.
          • Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of selecting mixtures.
          • A model for forage selection
          • Summary
          • Exam
          • References
        • Establishment
          • Overview
          • Pre-Test
          • Instructional Objectives
          • Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of pasture establishment
          • Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of pasture renovation.
          • Discuss the steps in seedbed preparation.
          • Discuss the considerations of seed quality.
          • Discuss the methods and timing of seeding.
          • Discuss the purpose and wise utilization of companion crops.
          • Summary
          • Exam
          • References
        • Weeds
          • Overview
          • Pre-Test
          • Define the term weed.
          • Instructional Objectives
          • Explain why producers and the public should be concerned about weeds.
          • Describe several ways in which weeds cause forage crop and animal production losses.
          • Describe methods in determining quality
          • List several poisonous plants found on croplands, pasturelands, rangelands, and forests.
          • Describe the five general categories of weed control methods.
          • Describe the concept of Integrated Pest Management and how it applies to weed control.
          • Distinguish between selective and non-selective herbicides and give an example of each.
          • Describe how weeds are categorized by life cycle and how this is correlated with specific control methods.
          • Describe conditions that tend to favor weed problems in pastures and describe how to alleviate these conditions.
          • Describe several common weed control practices in alfalfa production.
          • List printed and electronic sources of weed control information.
          • List local, regional, and national sources of weed control information.
          • Summary
          • Exam
          • References
        • Management/Physiology
          • Overview
          • Pre-Test
          • Instructional Objectives
          • Discuss the basics of grass growth.
          • Describe the impact of defoliation on grass plants.
          • Discuss how grasses regrow.
          • Discuss how livestock interaction impacts grass growth.
          • Discuss grass growth in mixed stands.
          • Discuss the practical applications of regrowth mechanisms.
          • References
        • Fertilization
          • Overview
          • Pre-Test
          • Instructional Objectives
          • Discuss the importance of soil fertility and the appropriate use of fertilization.
          • Define and discuss the nitrogen cycle.
          • Discuss the major elements needed for good soil fertility and plant growth.
          • Define and discuss micronutrients.
          • Discuss the uses and methods of liming.
          • Discuss fertilizer management for mixed stands.
          • References
        • Biological Nitrogen Fixation
          • Overview
          • Pre-Test
          • Instructional Objectives
          • Define biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) and explain its importance.
          • Describe the benefits of BNF in economic and environmental terms.
          • Estimate the amount of BNF that is contributed by various crops.
          • List and discuss factors that affect the quantity of nitrogen fixed.
          • Describe the processes of infection and nodulation in forage legumes.
          • Describe the process of inoculation in the production of forage legumes.
          • Summary
          • Exam
        • Grazing
          • Overview
          • Pre-Test
          • Instructional Objectives
          • Discuss the role of grazing in a pasture-livestock system.
          • List and discuss the types of grazing.
          • Compare and contrast the different types of grazing.
          • Discuss the livestock dynamics on pastures and grazing.
          • Discuss the utilization of a yearly grazing calendar.
          • Summary
          • References
        • Mechanically Harvested Forages
          • Overview
          • Pre-Test
          • Instructional Objectives
          • Discuss the purpose for mechanically harvested forages.
          • List the characteristics of good hay and the steps needed to make it.
          • Determine the characteristics of good silage and the steps in producing it.
          • Discuss the potential dangers in mechanically harvesting and storing forages.
          • Compare and contrast the types of storage and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each.
          • Summary
          • References
        • Irrigation
          • Overview
          • Pre-Test
          • Instructional Objectives
          • Describe the importance of irrigation in producing forages.
          • Describe major types of irrigation systems in US forage production.
          • List and discuss factors that affect irrigation efficiency.
          • Describe basic principles of scheduling irrigation for efficient use of water resources.
          • Describe potential problems that may arise from the use of irrigation in forages.
          • Summary
          • References
        • Quality & Testing
          • Overview
          • Pre-Test
          • Instructional Objectives
          • Define forage quality and management decisions that increase forage quality.
          • Describe important factors that determine hay and silage quality.
          • Discuss components of forage
          • Define and discuss antiquality factors affecting animal health
          • Discuss the need for and progress towards standards in national forage testing
          • Summary
          • References
        • Breeding
          • Overview
          • Pre-Test
          • Instructional Objectives
          • Discuss the history of forage breeding in the United States
          • Discuss the philosophy of why new plant cultivars are needed
          • Discuss the objectives of forage plant breeding
          • Discuss the process of creating a new cultivar
          • Discuss the steps in maintaining and producing new cultivars
          • Compare and contrast plant breeding in the US and Europe
          • Summary
          • References
        • Forage-livestock Systems
          • Overview
          • Pre-Test
          • Define a livestock system and their importance
          • Describe the basic principles of a successful forage-livestock system
          • Discuss forage-livestock systems in a larger picture
          • Discuss how economics are a part of a forage-livestock system
          • Discuss the types of forage-livestock systems
          • Summary
          • References
        • Miscellaneous Forages
          • Overview
          • Pre-Test
          • Instructional Objectives
          • Discuss the importance of utilizing forages other than common grasses and legumes
          • Discuss the species suitable to use as miscellaneous forages
          • Compare and contrast the species suitable to use as miscellaneous forages
          • Discuss the utilization of crop residues in a forage-livestock system
          • Discuss the utilization of a yearly grazing calendar
          • Summary
          • Exam
          • References
        • Economics of Forages
          • Overview
          • Pre-Test
          • Instructional Objectives
          • Discuss the balance needed between input and output
          • Describe marginal analysis
          • Discuss macroeconomic questions
          • Discuss microeconomic questions
          • Discuss enterprise budgets
          • Discuss the available tools for better economic management
          • Summary
          • References
        • Environmental Issues of Forages
          • Overview
          • Pre-Test
          • Instructional Objectives
          • Describe several important environmental issues that relate to forage production
          • Define the terms renewable resource and nonrenewable and give examples of each resource type that are related to forage production
          • Define the term sustainable agriculture and apply the concept to forage production
          • Diagram and describe a sustainable forage production system
          • Discuss factors that contribute to soil erosion and discuss ways that soil erosion control can be integrated into forage product
          • Discuss advantages and disadvantages in using synthetic agrichemicals in forage production
          • Explain the concept of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and how it can be used to enhance sustainable forage production
          • Define the term biodiversity and explain how this concept could be applied to forage production
          • Discuss the controversy over using agricultural land to produce crops for animal consumption
          • Summary
          • References
      • Instructor Feedback
      • Laboratory Strategies
      • Lecture Strategies
      • Mailing Groups
    • Student Materials
      • Mailing Groups
      • Math Review
      • Practice Exam
      • Reading Test
        • Reading Sample
      • Writing Evaluation
    • Reference Materials
      • CD's
      • Glossaries
      • People
      • Publications
      • Slides
      • Software
      • Videotapes
      • Websites
    • Future Students
    • Current Students
    • Alumni & Parents
    • Faculty & Staff
    • Calendar
    • Library
    • Maps
    • Online Services
    • Make a Gift
  • Project Information
    • Support
    • Description
    • Development
      • Core Group of Developers
      • Regional Advisors Group
      • Topic Experts Group of Developers
    • Production
  • Instructional Design
    • Lesson Template
    • Overall Course Design
      • Goals
      • Objectives
      • Assessment
        • Instructor Materials: Assessments: Prerequisite Test
      • Topics
      • Evaluation
      • Revision
    • Production Process
  • Instructor Materials
    • Assessments
      • Exams
      • Learner Survey
      • Post Test
      • Prerequisite Test
      • Prerequisite Test
      • Pretests
      • Quizzes
      • Testing Rationale
      • Writing Evaluation
    • Available Topics
      • Introduction to Forages
        • Overview
        • Pretest - Introduction
        • Instructional Objectives
        • Define forages and differentiate between forage types.
        • Explain how forages have been and are essential to civilization.
        • Summarize the history of forages.
        • Define grassland agriculture. Discuss a typical grassland ecosystem.
        • Define sustainable agriculture and discuss how forages are a key component.
        • List several grassland organizations and describe their role in promoting forages and grassland agriculture.
        • Summary
        • Exam
        • References
      • Grasslands of the World
        • Overview
        • Pretest - World Grasslands
        • Instructional Objectives
        • Define and describe the natural grasslands of the world.
        • Locate and describe the tropical grasslands and their forages.
        • Locate and describe the temperate grasslands and their forages.
        • Important issues affecting grasslands and their forages.
        • Summary
        • Exam
        • References
      • Forages in the US
        • Overview
        • Pretest - U.S. Grasslands
        • Instructional Objectives
        • Describe the role of forages in the history of the US.
        • Describe the current role of forages in US agriculture.
        • Discuss regional forage production.
        • Discuss forages from a livestock perspective.
        • Discuss the environmental benefits of forages.
        • Discuss the possible future role of forages in the US.
        • Summary
        • Exam
        • References
      • Grasses
        • Overview
        • Pretest - Grasses
        • Instructional Objectives
        • Grasses are very common but very important.
        • Differentiate warm-season from cool-season grasses.
        • Summarize the distinctive physical characteristics of grasses
        • Describe the utilization of grass in forage-livestock systems.
        • Describe how knowledge of grass regrowth is beneficial to forage managers.
        • Provide specific information about the common grasses used as forage
        • Summary
        • Exam
        • References
      • Legumes
        • Overview
        • Pretest - Legumes
        • Instructional Objectives
        • Legumes are a valuable part of forage production.
        • Differentiate warm-season from cool-season legumes.
        • Summarize the distinctive physical characteristics of legumes.
        • Define the utilization of legumes in forage-livestock systems.
        • Provide specific information about the common legumes used as forage.
        • Summary
        • Exam
        • References
      • Plant Identification
        • Overview
        • Pretest - Plant Identification
        • Instructional Objectives
        • Explain the reasons why forage plant identification is important.
        • Describe the major differences between the plant families used as forages.
        • Provide the vocabulary needed to identify grasses.
        • Provide the basic vocabulary for identifying legumes.
        • Identify common species of forage.
        • Provide practice in identifying common forages.
        • Summary
        • References
      • Forage Selection
        • Overview
        • Pretest - Forage Selection
        • Instructional Objectives
        • The selection of a forage plant is crucial.
        • Determine limitations to forage selection.
        • Forage selection requires an understanding of species and cultivars.
        • Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of selecting mixtures.
        • A model for forage selection
        • Summary
        • Exam
        • References
      • Establishment
        • Overview
        • Pre-Test
        • Instructional Objectives
        • Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of pasture establishment
        • Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of pasture renovation.
        • Discuss the steps in seedbed preparation.
        • Discuss the considerations of seed quality.
        • Discuss the methods and timing of seeding.
        • Discuss the purpose and wise utilization of companion crops.
        • Summary
        • Exam
        • References
      • Weeds
        • Overview
        • Pre-Test
        • Define the term weed.
        • Instructional Objectives
        • Explain why producers and the public should be concerned about weeds.
        • Describe several ways in which weeds cause forage crop and animal production losses.
        • Describe methods in determining quality
        • List several poisonous plants found on croplands, pasturelands, rangelands, and forests.
        • Describe the five general categories of weed control methods.
        • Describe the concept of Integrated Pest Management and how it applies to weed control.
        • Distinguish between selective and non-selective herbicides and give an example of each.
        • Describe how weeds are categorized by life cycle and how this is correlated with specific control methods.
        • Describe conditions that tend to favor weed problems in pastures and describe how to alleviate these conditions.
        • Describe several common weed control practices in alfalfa production.
        • List printed and electronic sources of weed control information.
        • List local, regional, and national sources of weed control information.
        • Summary
        • Exam
        • References
      • Management/Physiology
        • Overview
        • Pre-Test
        • Instructional Objectives
        • Discuss the basics of grass growth.
        • Describe the impact of defoliation on grass plants.
        • Discuss how grasses regrow.
        • Discuss how livestock interaction impacts grass growth.
        • Discuss grass growth in mixed stands.
        • Discuss the practical applications of regrowth mechanisms.
        • References
      • Fertilization
        • Overview
        • Pre-Test
        • Instructional Objectives
        • Discuss the importance of soil fertility and the appropriate use of fertilization.
        • Define and discuss the nitrogen cycle.
        • Discuss the major elements needed for good soil fertility and plant growth.
        • Define and discuss micronutrients.
        • Discuss the uses and methods of liming.
        • Discuss fertilizer management for mixed stands.
        • References
      • Biological Nitrogen Fixation
        • Overview
        • Pre-Test
        • Instructional Objectives
        • Define biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) and explain its importance.
        • Describe the benefits of BNF in economic and environmental terms.
        • Estimate the amount of BNF that is contributed by various crops.
        • List and discuss factors that affect the quantity of nitrogen fixed.
        • Describe the processes of infection and nodulation in forage legumes.
        • Describe the process of inoculation in the production of forage legumes.
        • Summary
        • Exam
      • Grazing
        • Overview
        • Pre-Test
        • Instructional Objectives
        • Discuss the role of grazing in a pasture-livestock system.
        • List and discuss the types of grazing.
        • Compare and contrast the different types of grazing.
        • Discuss the livestock dynamics on pastures and grazing.
        • Discuss the utilization of a yearly grazing calendar.
        • Summary
        • References
      • Mechanically Harvested Forages
        • Overview
        • Pre-Test
        • Instructional Objectives
        • Discuss the purpose for mechanically harvested forages.
        • List the characteristics of good hay and the steps needed to make it.
        • Determine the characteristics of good silage and the steps in producing it.
        • Discuss the potential dangers in mechanically harvesting and storing forages.
        • Compare and contrast the types of storage and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each.
        • Summary
        • References
      • Irrigation
        • Overview
        • Pre-Test
        • Instructional Objectives
        • Describe the importance of irrigation in producing forages.
        • Describe major types of irrigation systems in US forage production.
        • List and discuss factors that affect irrigation efficiency.
        • Describe basic principles of scheduling irrigation for efficient use of water resources.
        • Describe potential problems that may arise from the use of irrigation in forages.
        • Summary
        • References
      • Quality & Testing
        • Overview
        • Pre-Test
        • Instructional Objectives
        • Define forage quality and management decisions that increase forage quality.
        • Describe important factors that determine hay and silage quality.
        • Discuss components of forage
        • Define and discuss antiquality factors affecting animal health
        • Discuss the need for and progress towards standards in national forage testing
        • Summary
        • References
      • Breeding
        • Overview
        • Pre-Test
        • Instructional Objectives
        • Discuss the history of forage breeding in the United States
        • Discuss the philosophy of why new plant cultivars are needed
        • Discuss the objectives of forage plant breeding
        • Discuss the process of creating a new cultivar
        • Discuss the steps in maintaining and producing new cultivars
        • Compare and contrast plant breeding in the US and Europe
        • Summary
        • References
      • Forage-livestock Systems
        • Overview
        • Pre-Test
        • Define a livestock system and their importance
        • Describe the basic principles of a successful forage-livestock system
        • Discuss forage-livestock systems in a larger picture
        • Discuss how economics are a part of a forage-livestock system
        • Discuss the types of forage-livestock systems
        • Summary
        • References
      • Miscellaneous Forages
        • Overview
        • Pre-Test
        • Instructional Objectives
        • Discuss the importance of utilizing forages other than common grasses and legumes
        • Discuss the species suitable to use as miscellaneous forages
        • Compare and contrast the species suitable to use as miscellaneous forages
        • Discuss the utilization of crop residues in a forage-livestock system
        • Discuss the utilization of a yearly grazing calendar
        • Summary
        • Exam
        • References
      • Economics of Forages
        • Overview
        • Pre-Test
        • Instructional Objectives
        • Discuss the balance needed between input and output
        • Describe marginal analysis
        • Discuss macroeconomic questions
        • Discuss microeconomic questions
        • Discuss enterprise budgets
        • Discuss the available tools for better economic management
        • Summary
        • References
      • Environmental Issues of Forages
        • Overview
        • Pre-Test
        • Instructional Objectives
        • Describe several important environmental issues that relate to forage production
        • Define the terms renewable resource and nonrenewable and give examples of each resource type that are related to forage production
        • Define the term sustainable agriculture and apply the concept to forage production
        • Diagram and describe a sustainable forage production system
        • Discuss factors that contribute to soil erosion and discuss ways that soil erosion control can be integrated into forage product
        • Discuss advantages and disadvantages in using synthetic agrichemicals in forage production
        • Explain the concept of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and how it can be used to enhance sustainable forage production
        • Define the term biodiversity and explain how this concept could be applied to forage production
        • Discuss the controversy over using agricultural land to produce crops for animal consumption
        • Summary
        • References
    • Instructor Feedback
    • Laboratory Strategies
    • Lecture Strategies
    • Mailing Groups
  • Student Materials
    • Mailing Groups
    • Math Review
    • Practice Exam
    • Reading Test
      • Reading Sample
    • Writing Evaluation
  • Reference Materials
    • CD's
    • Glossaries
    • People
    • Publications
    • Slides
    • Software
    • Videotapes
    • Websites

You are here

Home » National Forage & Grasslands Curriculum » Instructor Materials » Available Topics

Biological Nitrogen Fixation

  1. Overview

  2. Pre-Test

  3. Instructional Objectives

  4. Define biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) and explain its importance.

  5. Describe the benefits of BNF in economic and environmental terms.

  6. Estimate the amount of BNF that is contributed by various crops.

  7. List and discuss factors that affect the quantity of nitrogen fixed.

  8. Describe the processes of infection and nodulation in forage legumes.

  9. Describe the process of inoculation in the production of forage legumes.

  10. Summary

  11. Exam

  • Overview
  • Pre-Test
  • Instructional Objectives
  • Define biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) and explain its importance.
  • Describe the benefits of BNF in economic and environmental terms.
  • Estimate the amount of BNF that is contributed by various crops.
  • List and discuss factors that affect the quantity of nitrogen fixed.
  • Describe the processes of infection and nodulation in forage legumes.
  • Describe the process of inoculation in the production of forage legumes.
  • Summary
  • Exam
‹ References up Overview ›
National Forage & Grasslands Curriculum

Contact Us

Oregon State University
Forage Information System
Corvallis, OR 97331
Send Email

National Forage & Grasslands Curriculum

Contact Info

Forage Information System
Oregon State University
Department of Crop and Soil Science
109 Crop Science Building
Corallis, OR 97331-3002

Copyright ©2023 Oregon State University
Disclaimer